Messageboard - Travel

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I’m wondering if people have suggestions as to where to get foreign currency in the city. I know there is a counter at the airport. However, last time I went they gave a very bad conversion rate on top of high “convenience” fees and such.

If there is nothing else local, are there any decent websites that don’t charge $30 for shipping a 1 ounce envelope?

You should get fifty to seventy five bucks converted as others have mentioned. I’ve found the easiest thing though is to just withdraw from an ATM in the country you’re visiting. Even with the fees it works out better.

If you are traveling make sure you call your credit companies and banks.

@jon is right. a small amount to hit the ground with can be useful, but otherwise using credit/debit is going to get the best exchange rate. They will make the transaction at the current exchange rate.

However, check with your bank/credit company about foreign transaction fees. These have been phased in over the past decade and can run between 1-4% on each transaction (annoying but still better than most exchange counters). Visa and Mastercard typically charge 1-2% and Amex charges 2%. On top of that, your bank might charge an additional 1-2%. Capital One – who I normally would advise against solely on the basis of their annoying commercials – actually absorbs the Visa and MC charge and doesn’t have their own, making them a great 0% option for overseas travel.

Just recently got Euro from that Huntington on the spot. Have gotten Yen from there too, but they had to order it (just took a couple of days). Pretty sure they can order anything. You do get a better rate using ATM/credit overseas. Always a good idea to call your credit card companies/bank before travelling to tell them you are leaving the country so they don’t put a hold on your cards when they see overseas charges start popping up. FWIW, credit card much more widely accepted in Italy than in Japan.

Have confirmed the Huntington location noted above has euros on-site at all times. Swiss Franc’s however have to be ordered and I was quoted 2 business days arrival from the time your order is placed. This method comes with an $8 delivery fee.

Update: I had some old Canadian money around and went back to Huntington to exchange it. Turns out they’ve made it as bad as the online exchanges. Now has to be mailed in, wait x weeks, pay $8 convenience fee, deposit in your Huntington account (no non-account holders allowed). The airport appears to be the only game in town now.